Monthly Archives: May 2013

So I noticed my last running update was nearly a year ago, and thought it overdue to bring things up to speed.

I’ve kept up with the running, and have managed to get an official half marathon under my belt. After the 10K I ran last May, I continued to push myself and grow my mileage each time bit by bit, and mile by mile.

I ran a few more races, including another 10K in the fall, and then signed up to commit to a half marathon. 13.1 miles and the near equivalent of a 21K.

Despite my planning, training, and the countless blisters, the half ended up getting canceled due to Hurricane Sandy. It was frustrating, but my problem wasn’t nearly as bad as those who lost homes, cars, or lives so I took solace in that. Despite the cancellation I ran a nice circuit around town and managed to achieve my goal time of a hair under 2 hours total. And I do mean a hair, as the final time came in at 1:59:51.

Once the cool winter weather rolled in my shoes went into the closet, and didn’t see the light until late March.

Getting myself back up to speed took some time, but I began slow with a 6 mile loop, and again worked my way up.

2 weeks ago, on May 5th, I ran my official half marathon. This was the same lcoation as my first 10K – the Redding Road Race for the Cows. Again there were hills galore, but I managed to tough through it, and in better time than I expected as I was still ramping my mileage up. I didn’t break the 2 hour mark, but came decently close at 2:06, and a better time than the lower 43%.

So with that under my belt, I have a handful more half marathons to run this year, plus a Tough Mudder and Super Spartan. More than enough to keep the twinkle in my eye, and the rolls off my belly

I’m finding I am at a new level now. It is actually pretty cool because I’m the kind of guy that likes mixing it up. When I plan my routes, I typically do so using either mapmyrun.com or Gmap Pedometer. Not only can it tell me how to get from A to B, but how far, so I can plan out a 9 mile run, a 5 mile quickie or a 13 miler for the weekends if I’m up for it.

Lately I’ve been plugging in a wide circle starting from my home, around 9-10 miles, but the best part… I don’t care about where it goes.

What I mean is that I feel like I have finally gotten to a plateau where I can run anywhere – hills or flat, and I love a route that takes me on meandering tours (like my meandering blog post.) The other day I found roads that take me past no less than 5 farms, and all the beauty that they hold. The wide expanses of fields, the picturesque fences filled with animals, and the rise of the hills overlooking the opposite side and all the greenery I love to enjoy.

It is a really, really good feeling

I’m also finding that using the minimalist shoes I like so much, are more dependent on proper lacing. Over time it seems I’ve pulled the laces tighter and tighter each time I put them on, leaving no wiggle room as my feet naturally expand when I hit the pavement in the rhythm the music beats out over my headphones. So in turn, the shoes rub, the blisters grow, and I hobble just a bit more a day or two after the run. I’m sure it affects my gait, and proper form, and now the shoes I’ve been using have burned out barely a year later.

I spent time figuring out which ones are best suited for me, as I often do with entirely too much time sorting out the balance between cost, quality, needs and desires. In the end, I chose an updated version of the shoes I already use and enjoy. From the Merrell True Glove to the Merrell Flux Glove . I’m not the only one who loves these shoes either, as many reviews rate them at or near the top of minimalist rankings. An updated outsole, liner, and footplate that better suit mid to fore foot strikes, all tell me they should work out great.